A New Dawn for Solar Energy in Columbus
In a historic neighborhood of Columbus known for its charm and character, a new addition is catching the sunlight. On 10 rooftops across the Near East Side, shiny black solar panels have been installed as part of a new pilot program designed to lower energy costs for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
Tina Martin, a lifelong resident of the area, is one of the 10 homeowners participating in the Impact Solar-PACT Residential Pilot Program. This initiative is a public-private partnership among businesses, nonprofits, and the City of Columbus aimed at making solar energy more accessible to those who need it most.
“My power bill right now is like $300-something a month, believe it or not, and I’m only a family of four,” Martin said. “After doing a lot of research, I decided to go ahead and participate in the program because I work from home, and I was thinking about the savings.”
Participants in the program enter into a power purchase agreement that pays for the low-cost power they use for six years. The Columbus Partnership estimates the costs are around 20% lower than those provided by traditional energy sources. After the six years are up, the homeowner assumes full ownership of the solar panels at no further cost.
“We know we’ve got a housing affordability challenge both now and in the long term. One of the ways you make housing more affordable is the cost of operating a house,” said Jason Hall, president of the Columbus Partnership.
The long-term goal of the program is twofold: create financial stability for residents while reducing the city’s carbon footprint. For homeowners like Martin, the shift is deeply personal.
“It’s a joyful, it’s a heartful, it’s a tearful change, actually. It brings joy to my heart,” she said.
However, solar energy is changing. The federal budget bill recently signed by President Donald Trump eliminates the clean energy tax credit at the end of the year. That credit previously allowed homeowners to write off a portion of installation costs.
Hall said the Residential Solar Pilot Program is moving forward as planned for now. “We’re looking at the impacts on the bill, but we know right here — with the leadership of Mayor Ginther and Franklin County — we are deploying dollars that are locked down today to keep doing exactly what we celebrated here today. The resources we have today for the programs we’ve stood up (for) — those resources are locked in.”
The goal of the program and its partners is to scale the initiative up to reach more homeowners across Columbus and central Ohio. The project is a collaboration between Partners Achieving Community Transformation, Impact Solar, Fifth Third Bank, the Columbus Green Fund, and the Columbus Partnership.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in making renewable energy accessible and affordable for all. By focusing on low- and moderate-income households, the program addresses both economic and environmental challenges, offering a sustainable solution for the future.
As the program continues to grow, it serves as a model for other cities looking to implement similar initiatives. The success of this pilot could pave the way for broader adoption of solar energy, helping to reduce energy costs and promote environmental sustainability on a larger scale.
With the support of local leaders and community organizations, the Impact Solar-PACT Residential Pilot Program is setting a new standard for what is possible when public and private sectors work together to address pressing issues. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
